LAKR vs WSF: In a thrilling, high-octane Major League Cricket 2025 match between Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) and Washington Freedom (WS), the hero of the day was Glenn Phillips, who took WS to a heart-stopping victory off the last ball. Even with a brilliant century by Andre Fletcher, Knight Riders fell to their fifth loss in six matches, while Washington Freedom moved to the second position in the table.
First Innings: Fletcher Blazes as LAKR Suggests 213-Run Target
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LAKR, eager for a comeback, finally did so with the bat. Opener Andre Fletcher was his destructive self, blasting 104 off 60 balls before retiring. Alongside Unmukt Chand (41 from 30), who formed a 130-run partnership in 12.2 overs, he set the stage for a record score.
Even as Chand’s innings were relatively laboured strike rate of 136.66 in a match where both teams had scored more than 10 runs an over, LAKR kept ticking the board with some support from Sherfane Rutherford (20 off 11) and *Andre Russell (30 off 13). The innings came to a close at 213/4, a dominant aggregate by any definition.
Washington Freedom’s Chase: Explosive Start and Dramatic Finish
Fresh from the conclusion of MLC’s largest pursuit just days ago, Washington Freedom (WS) was unperturbed. They started with Mitchell Owen’s scorching 43 off 16 that contained three fours and four sixes. His 51-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (18 off 12) set the tone.
Andries Gous chipped in with a useful 31 off 27 to see WS reach 73/1 at the Powerplay, a touch ahead of LAKR’s 67/0. Middle overs witnessed Glenn Maxwell getting loose with a scorching 42 off 23 balls, but just when everything seemed fine, Tanveer Sangha cleaned up two wickets in an over, Maxwell and Jack Edwards.
Phillips and Pienaar Hold Nerve in Final Over
Requiring 7 runs from the final over, with Obus Pienaar (33 off 23)* and Glenn Phillips at the wicket, Andre Russell bowled a thriller of a final over:
1st ball: Wide
1st legal ball: Four by Pienaar
Next three balls: Dots
Two needed off two
Last two balls: Two singles
Washington Freedom won off the last ball, leaving LAKR heartbroken despite a scorecard-turning batting performance.
Takeaways from LAKR vs WSF Thriller
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Andre Fletcher hammered a remarkable 104 (retired out) with 7 fours and 6 sixes.
LAKR reached 213/4, with Rutherford and Russell’s cameos.
Mitchell Owen, Gous, Maxwell, and Phillips spearheaded WS’s pursuit.
Phillips and Pienaar remained calm to complete the chase with 1 ball to spare.
Washington Freedom moves to second position, while LAKR stays fifth in the MLC 2025 points table.
Final Scorecard Summary: LAKR vs WSF
Los Angeles Knight Riders – 213/4 (20 overs)
Andre Fletcher – 104 (60)
Unmukt Chand – 41 (30)
Andre Russell – 30* (13)
Washington Freedom – 214/5 (20 overs)
Mitchell Owen – 43 (16)
Glenn Maxwell – 42 (23)
Glenn Phillips – 33* (23)
Washington Freedom won by 5 wickets
LAKR vs WS – Another Classic in MLC 2025
The LAKR vs WS match was another heart-stopping episode of what’s turning out to be a hit MLC 2025 season. Despite Fletcher’s wizardry, it was Washington Freedom’s combined strength and level heads in the death overs that did the trick.
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